Posted on Thu, Mar. 05, 2009

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Limbaugh isn't the leader of the GOP

Rush Limbaugh isn't the leader of the Republican Party, but he is the loudest spokesman for fiscal conservatism and, to a lesser degree, social conservatism. People who aren't conservative or Republican (i.e., many of those getting airtime/writing space in the media) don't seem to understand the difference between the party and the ideology.

Conservative ideas remain sound, regardless of whether Republicans carry them out well, and being a Republican doesn't necessarily make you a conservative. Because of former President George W. Bush's expansion of government spending, few consider him a fiscal conservative, though he was a social one.

The Republican Party trampled its conservative roots for years when the party's politicians compromised their principles and ethics. Only recently have they renewed their convictions, such as when Republican members of the U.S. House unanimously rejected the bailout. Conservatism is ripe for revival, and President Obama and the Democratic leadership are doing more to revive it than Limbaugh.

Not every conservative likes Limbaugh. He's made some well-publicized mistakes and at times can be irritating. But he's bold and brash, and he expresses the frustrations of many Main Street conservatives.

Many in the media and the White House are portraying him as the leader of the GOP, in part because he's controversial and they hope that he will be a drag on Republican aspirations. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs recently suggested that reporters ask Republicans "whether they agree with what Rush Limbaugh said... in wishing and hoping for economic failure in this country."

It's a trick question based on erroneous information. No good American -- including Limbaugh -- wants our country to fail, economically or otherwise; but a lot of people want Obama's plan to fail.

"So what is so strange about being honest and saying I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation?" Limbaugh said. "Why would I want that to succeed?"

He's not alone. If Obama had a good plan, or even a tolerable one, you would see more Republicans and conservatives buying into it. We're not against bipartisanship when it produces better ideas. But the legislation created by Democrats, after shutting Republicans out of the process, is too expensive, is wasteful and relies too heavily on government control.

Many of us tolerated Bush as he presided over increased government spending but feel we've gone far enough. Limbaugh gives a coherent voice to that angst.

The Republican Party will eventually rally around a leader and again find a message that resonates with Americans. When it does, it will share much common ground with the conservative message put forth by Limbaugh, but likely expressed in a less abrasive manner.

Brent Castillo appears in Opinion on the first Thursday of each month. Reach him at bcopinion@gmail.com.

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